NBC news anchorman urges college graduates to make the world better

Published: 2004-05-19

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- NBC news anchorman Brian Williams told the members of The Catholic University of America's class of 2004 they were fortunate to graduate in a time of modern advances and opportunities, but that they also faced more uncertainties than perhaps any other graduating class since 1941, when the world was at war. Williams, who will assume duties as the anchorman and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News" in December when Tom Brokaw retires, attended Catholic University from 1979 to 1980. He said the class of 2004 is faced with formidable challenges as they enter a world affected by global terrorism. "You are asked to stare down terrorism," he told the 1,200 graduates during the May 15 commencement ceremony, urging them to "really reformulate the way we think as a nation." Williams, anchor of CNBC's "The News With Brian Williams," described Sept. 10, 2001, as "the last carefree day in modern American history." He noted other world events, such as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, that have occurred while the graduates were in college. But he said that despite terrorist attacks and wars U.S. culture continues to promote what is trivial and is "alarmingly self-centered."

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